Ms. Walker, the Democratic challenger in the Nov. 6 election, threw back a serious charge at Mr. Durant during her closing statement. She asserted that Mr. Durant hadn't been responsive to Southbridge victims of the devastating June 1, 2011, ornado.

The two are vying for the House seat to represent the reconfigured 6th Worcester District, which includes Dudley, Southbridge, three of four precincts in Charlton and one precinct in Spencer.

Ms. Walker, a selectman in Charlton, said she in fact advocates building up rainy day funds for unforeseen events.

But Mr. Durant said he talked to Charlton Finance Committee members and selectmen who told him his opponent seems to think the fund is a “personal piggy bank.”

“I was told she even advocates bringing that rainy day down to zero so that the town would need an override to fill the coffers,” he said.

Ms. Walker said she advocates using small amounts of money from the fund for her town's senior tax write-off program or for continuing to support Old Home Day.

Mr. Durant said he favors abortion rights, but the state must work on related issues that may come forward, such as allowing a minor to get an abortion without parental consent, which he opposes.

Ms. Walker said she does not believe in abortion but a person has the right to choose what happens to her body.

Ms. Walker also said that when Mr. Durant first ran for the House seat two years ago, he said that before a woman could make this kind of a decision she should be better educated.

“I was appalled at his response because he's not in that position nor will he ever be. I felt it was condescending and patronizing.”

Mr. Durant said he is endorsed by abortion rights organizations because they “understand we're not going to determine the course of Roe v. Wade,” but the state can determine ancillary issues.

Mr. Durant asked Ms. Walker her position on a person under 18 getting an abortion, or on allowing a woman to have an abortion up to the time of giving birth, but she did not respond.

Mr. Durant said the ballot question regarding prescription medication to end a person's life should be vetted by lawmakers.

He said many things could go wrong, including young people experimenting with medication they may have taken from an adult's medicine cabinet.

Ms. Walker said her aunt suffered at least a month before dying from inoperable cancer.

“That experience leaves me initially at least in favor of this. However when I read deeper into it on both sides of the issue I had to somewhat agree with Mr. Durant in the sense that there are significant problems.”

Ms. Walker saved her harshest criticism for the end.

“I think my opponent means well and I think he is trying,” she said. “But if you were with my husband and I yesterday talking to the tornado victims in Southbridge who were given promises … They were told they would be helped out and they have not been. There are quite a few of them down there. They have not gotten the response that they need from Mr. Durant's office.”